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Byzantine Period Oil Lamps

From the Holy land

circa 100 B.C. – 400 A.D.

In the modern world there is not a great deal of difference between day and night; darkness is merely a temporary nuisance, easily vanquished by flipping a switch.  In ancient times, however, darkness was not as easily overcome.  Accordingly, the oil lamp was one of the most important household appliances in antiquity and was used during Roman times to light the houses of everyone from the poorest peasant to the wealthiest of its citizens.   For over three millennia, it lit homes, temples, synagogues, and churches of the Holy Land.

Originally existing unadorned, but in time people began adding various decorations. Designs differed according to culture, but in the Holy Land geometric shapes, flora and fauna motifs were favorites.

These authentic terra cotta oil lamps are made of fairly course, porous clay that when fired assumes a color ranging from dull ochre to red and is usually left unglazed.  They were found in what is now modern day Israeland are one of the most common artifacts found in unearthed and excavated ancient dwellings, temples and tombs. They were imported directly from Israel and are pictured as we received them, they are intact and have not been cleaned in any way.

Click on images to view larger  and additional views. All lamps are approximately 1-1/2” tall and 3-1/2” wide, the size below each image is the approximate length of the lamp.
Item Number ROL-48   Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD	Item Number ROL-02 Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD
Item Number ROL-03 Length: 4 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – $115.00	Item Number ROL-04 Length: 4 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – $125.00
Item Number ROL-44 Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD	Item Number ROL-36   Length: 4 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD
Item Number ROL-38   Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – $45.00 SOLD	Item Number ROL-08   Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD
Item Number ROL-32   Length: 3 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD	Item Number ROL-16   Length: 3 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD
Item Number ROL-30   Length: 3 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD	Item Number ROL-40   Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp –SOLD
Item Number ROL-34   Length: 3 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD	Item Number ROL-12   Length: 4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – SOLD
Item Number ROL-24   Length: 3″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – $54.00 SOLD	Item Number ROL-25   Length: 4 1/4″ Holy Land Oil Lamp – $110.00

 Roman/Byzantine Bronze Rings

It is believed that ancient Egyptians viewed the ring, a never ending metal band, as representing eternal love and as having supernatural power. Rings were worn on the 4th finger of the left hand because they thought the “vena moris” or the “vein of love” ran through it, to the head.

Then the Romans came along to play their role in history by introducing the betrothal ring. It was originally a plain iron hoop. When a lady accepted it, it became a binding legal agreement. She was no longer free, and was bound to be obedient to her husband. The gentry would wear an iron ring while indoors and a gold band while outside. By the 4th century AD inscriptions were being placed on the inside of betrothal rings.

Just as today, jewelry was an important part of Roman life and culture. Jewelry reflected then as now the wealth and status of the wearer. In the Roman Republic, (before 44 BC), by law only citizens could wear rings. And a male citizen could only wear one ring, and that ring was made of iron. In the early empire only Patricians, (the upper class of citizens), could wear gold rings. Other citizens and freemen could wear silver or bronze. Slaves were not allowed to wear rings at all. As the empire expanded the laws and customs regarding jewelry were relaxed. Clothing was dictated by social class, and changed little for over 1000 years. Consequently jewelry and hairstyles were the dominant means of expressing a Roman’s social and economic status. In the later empire some people wore rings on every finger, and even on their toes! The normal everyday Roman was not this ostentatious. They wore only one or two rings, usually of bronze. Since Roman clothing had no pockets, one popular ring was the key ring. Unlike the modern key ring which holds a group of keys together, a Roman key ring was a finger ring containing an actual key, possibly to a strongbox where the family valuables were stored, or maybe even to the door of the wearer’s house.

Accurate dating of ancient rings is more difficult than dating coins, which often can be attributed to an exact year, and sometimes even the city in which it was minted. Dating rings must take into account the shape and style, the inscription or symbols contained on it, and the environment in which it was found. For example, earlier rings are simpler in design. Earlier rings contain symbols of the ancient Roman gods. Rings of the mid to late empire may contain a simple Christian cross, or star cross. Rings of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) have more intricate devices cast into the bezel and band, and frequently contain a representation of the cross of Constantine or a Byzantine cross. The rings offered below are from 1500 to 2000 years old and are guaranteed to be authentic.

Item Number R-101   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – Green Patina Diameter: 19mm Weight: 7.5g SOLD	Item Number R-33   Roman Bronze Ring Dark Green Patina Diameter: 16mm Weight: 6.2g SOLD	Item Number R-201   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – Dark Green Patina Diameter: 18mm  C 2-4 Century Weight: 5.0g – Found Balkans SOLD	Item Number R-202   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – Green Patina Diameter:17mm – C 2-4 Century Weight: 3.1g – Found Balkans SOLD
Item Number R-103 Roman Bronze RingEtched- Dark PatinaDiameter: 18MMWeight: 4.6g SOLD	Item Number R-91   Roman Bronze Ring Etched- Green Patina Diameter: 16mm Weight: 6.2g Bent!! SOLD	Item Number R-203   Roman Bronze Ring C 2-4 Century – Green Patina Diameter: 16mm Weight: 2.8g – Found Balkans SOLD	Item Number R-204   Roman Bronze Ring C 2-4 Century – Green Patina Diameter: 16mm Weight: 3.6g – Found Balkans SOLD
Item Number R-205 Roman Bronze Ring C 2-4 Century – Green Patina Inside Dia: 16mm Weight: 2.2g – Found Balkans SOLD	Item Number R-27   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – Shape of Shield Dark Green Patina Diameter: 20mm Weight: 4.4g SOLD	Item Number R-96   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – Dark Green  Patina Inside Dia: 19mm Weight: 6.1g $54.00	Item Number R-32     Roman Bronze Ring Pyramid Bezel Dark Green Patina Diameter: 15mm Weight: 1.4g   SOLD
Item Number R-206   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – !!NICE!! Dark Green Patina Inside Diamater: 16mm Weight: 5.4g  C 2-4 Century $76.00	Item Number R-71   Roman Bronze Ring – Nice!!! Etched – Green Patina Inside Dia: 17mm Weight: 6.6g – 1-3 Century SOLD	Item Number R-207   Roman Bronze Ring Inside Dia: 16mm Weight: 3.2g C 1-3 Century – Found Balkans SOLD	Item Number R-72   Roman Bronze Ring Etched – Dark Green Patina Inside Diameter: 14mm Weight: 3.8g $85.00
Item Number R-55   Roman Bronze Ring Unusual Shape Dk Green Patina Inside Diameter: 18mm Weight: 8.0g $85.00	Item Number R-208   Roman Bronze Ring Large Bezel Green Patina Inside Diameter: 19mm Wt: 5.7g – Found Balkans $68.00	Item Number R-209   Roman Bronze Ring Green Patina Inside Diameter: 15mm Wt: 3.8g – Found Balkans SOLD	Item Number R-210   Roman Bronze Ring Black Patina Inside Diameter: 12mm Wt: 2.6g – Found Balkans SOLD

Roman Coins

It is still difficult to comprehend that the Romans were able to create an empire as vast and as powerful as they did.  Lasting several centuries and covering Europe, Asia Minor and Northern Africa and even overtaking their historical enemies the Greeks, their empire was of a magnitude that has been unsurpassed, but often dreamed.

Their coins are a reflection of this history, each coin is like a tiny window through which we may glimpse many facets of the cultures that produced them.  Each tells a story of what was happening in the Roman world when it was struck. All we have to do is read what is on it, look at the images, and that story comes back to life after almost 2000 years.

Roman Coin Beginners Kit

Item Number BK10-001 – $29.99

The Beginners Kit is a great gift idea for someone that loves to learn about history.  Each kit includes uncleaned roman coins from all over Europe that could be up to 2000 years old.

This kit includes everything that you need to get started.  Below is a list of items included in the kit.

 

                                I     10 Uncleaned Roman coins

                                II    Magnifying Glass

                                III   Pick

                                IV   Container of Olive Oil

                                V    Two Sided brush

                                VI   Small container for soaking or storing coins

                                VII Wooden box for storage of all your coin cleaning tools

S&H Charge 5.50 – US Only

International Orders- Contact mcintyre@romancoins.net for shipping & handling charges.

 

Bulk Specials for Uncleaned Roman Coins

10   Uncleaned Roman Coins           $18.00          

20   Uncleaned Roman Coins           $33.00          

50   Uncleaned Roman Coins           $90.00         

100 Uncleaned Roman Coins           $170.00       

20  * Uncleaned Cull Roman Coins    $6.00         

*Cull coins are great for perfecting your cleaning techniques.

If you would prefer to fill out out an order form instead of using paypal, click on the order form.  The order form will be sent to us and we will email you with a receipt and then we can discuss a method of payment you could choose.

Biblical Roman Coins
B-003 – Widow’s Mite	WIDOW’S MITE Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2 Jannaeus Spoke Type 103-76 BC $19.00/One Coin (Random Selection)
BC-32 Valerius Gratus	VALERIUS GRATUS AE Bronze Prutah – 15-26AD O: TIB KAI CAP (Tiberius Caesar) in wreath tied w/X at bottom. R: Palm Branch flanked by IOYΛIA and date (LE  year 5=18AD). $65.00
Roman Coins
ANTONINUS PIUS –  August 138 – 7 March 161 A.D.
ARCADIUS – January 19, 383 to May 1, 408 A.D.
RC867 Arcadius AE4	Obv. D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right Rev. VOT V in wreath Exe: CONG – Constantinople Mint – RIC 62b $24.00
AURELIAN – August or September 270  to  October or November 275 A.D.
RC850 Aurelian AE Antoninianus	Obv: IMP AVRELANVS AVG, radiate & cuirassed bust right, holding shield and spear Rev: IOVI CONSER, emperor standing right receiving globe from Jupiter standing opposite & holding sceptre EXE: P RIC 260 $95.00
RC851 Aurelian Silvered Antoninianus	Obv: IMP AVRELIAN AVG – Radiate bust right, cuirassed Rev: ORIENS AVG – Sol treading left on captive while right hand is raised in salute and holding globe while other captive looks on. Exe: XXIP – Serdica Mint RIC 279 $98.00